By Peter Fairchild

The Fifa president has told of his admiration for the Manchester United midfielder, complimenting the 39-year old ahead of his landmark 1000th appearance in professional football

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has told of his admiration for Ryan Giggs on the eve of the Manchester United midfielder's 1000th appearance in football.

The Welshman has racked up 999 appearances in professional football, including 931 for his only club Manchester United, four for the British Olympic team in 2012, and 64 caps for Wales.

The Fifa president said Giggs was an example for all footballers to aspire to, and told the Welshman to take joy in his 1000th career appearance.

"Everyone should take an example of Ryan Giggs because what he has done is really, really wonderful, amazing," Blatter told reporters.

"It is difficult to believe someone can play a 1000 matches, and most of these matches [931] he played with the same team.

"I can only bow and say compliments, I do hope you will enjoy your 1000th game and you will especially enjoy the future. Enjoy the game, but enjoy life."

On Friday Giggs signed a new one-year extension with United which will take him past his 40th birthday in November, and into his 24th season of top-flight football.

The Fifa president admitted that Giggs' achievements in the game were even more impressive as a result of the money in football, and the ease at which players can change clubs in the current transfer market system.

"I think this is courageous determination of a player not to change his club, to put his heart into the club. This is what the essence of football was at the time and you belong to this club, you will never change this club," Blatter continued.

"Nowadays, not only of the transfer system but also because there is so much money in football, you play half a season for one club and half a season for the other."